"It was important to get some minutes under his belt. He still looks a little rusty, but his fitness has improved." - City's Nicky Eaden

7 February 2017

Billie Marshall

Under-23s coach Nicky Eaden on the young Sky Blues' draw against Colchester United in Essex...

City’s development side were denied three points after a last gasp wonder strike from Colchester United midfielder Charley Edge.

Jordan Shipley had given the Sky Blues an early lead with a sweetly struck finish, but their run without a victory now stretches to five games.

Under-23s coach Nicky Eaden said: “First half wasn’t too bad, we tried to get the ball from back to front quickly and break on them and look threatening in each attack rather than keep possession, but second half was a lot better.

“We had more control of the game, we kept the ball for longer periods and ended up creating more. I was disappointing to concede, but it was a strike of that quality that eventually beat us.

“We’ve got Jordan Thompson, who is a scholar, and Callum Maycock, who is a midfielder, starting in central defence so they’ve done particularly well today.”

Forward Kwame Thomas made his first start for City since an injury suffered at the beginning of the season against Shrewsbury Town as he looks to gain first-team recognition for the final third of the League One campaign.

“He still looks a little rusty, but his fitness has certainly improved recently and he is looking strong.

“It was important to get some minutes under his belt, and if we can continue that for the Under-23s, then he could become an option for first-selection,”

He added: “It was a hell of a strike to beat us, and we’ve missed some chances at the other end. Overall, it was a decent performance, much better in the second half.”